Vacuum husking roll for mechanical corn pickers



Jan. 29, 1957 H. TENER VACUUM HUSKING ROLL FOR MECHANICAL CORN PICKERSFiled June 21, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent f"ice VACUUMHUSKING RoLLroR MECHANICAL CORN PICKERS v Harold Tener, Cory, Ind.Application June 21, 1954, seria; No. 433,118 6 Claims. (C1. `13o- 5)This inventioin relates to an improvement in mechanical,

v for thus cleaning the vacuum husking roll of husks, stalks and` otherdebris or foreign matter which might` adhere or cling thereto.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical cornpicker which will accomplish a much cleaner husking operation even inthe `driest of weather and which will eliminate the need for using extrahusking rolls or other attachments to husking rolls such as are nowcommonly employed'for husking corn under dry weather conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum husking roll ofsubstantially increased tenacity and which is so constructed that theshock exerted against the roll by engagement of the corn stalks and earstherewith will be substantially diminshed, to `thereby minimize theriskof breakage or ydamage to the roll.

Still another object of the 'invention is to provide an improved vacuumhusking roll which will substantially reduce the possibility ofmutilation or serious injury to the hand of the operator if caughtbetween a pair of the revolving rolls.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafterbecome more fully apparent from the fol.- lowing description of thedrawing, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, andwherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partially in section, show ing a pair ofhusking rolls including one of the 'improved vacuum type rolls andshowing the vacuum and blower system thereof;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure l; t

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal 4horizontal sectional View, partlybroken away, through the vacuum husking roll;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the core of thevacuum husking roll;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional View of the vacuum husking roll, takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 3,and

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along a planecorresponding `to the plane of Figure 2 and showing a pair of identicalvacuum husking rolls utilized in combination.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, thevacuum husking roll inits entirety and comprising the invention is designated generally 10 andincludes a core, designated generally 11, which is best illustratedifinFigure 4. v'The 2,779,337 .Patented dan, 29, 19572 core 11 is formedof arigid metal ,andv includes a relatively thick disk 12 having an axiallydisposed tubular stern 13 projecting from an'outer side thereof, acontinuation of the bore 14 of which `extendsthrough the disk 12, asseen in Figure `3. The parts 12 and 13 constitute the rear end of thecore 11. The core 11 also includes longitudinally extending oppositelydisposed cylinder segments 1S and 1,6, constituting integral extensionsof the disk 12 and which project forwardly therefrom away from the stern13. The cylinder segments 15` in crosssection each dei fine an arc ofapproximately 90, solthat` the spaces 17 and `libetween thecomplementary longitudinal edges of the segments 1S and 16 each definesan opening of approximately 90. However, as the description proceeds itwill become apparent that the `ciranruft-,rential width of the segments15 and 16. and of said openings 17 and 18r may vary. The cylindersegments 15 and 16 at their op.- posite, forward ends,`merge with theenlarged rear endet a tapered or frusto-conicalcore portion 19 withwhich the forward ends of the segments 15 and 16 are integrally formed.Likewise, the cylinder segments 15 and 1,6 include converging `forwardend` portions 15a` and 16a the outer surfaces of which are disposed inalignment with portions of the periphery of the ,core end 19 with whichsaid segment portions 15a and 16a join. The forward core portion 19 isprovided with an axial bore 20 of ysubstantially smaller diameter thanthe external diameter of the enlarged rear end of the core portion 19. Arigid` pipe 0r.tube21 extends through and is secured in the bore 20` and`has a forward end extending a short distance beyond the forward end of`said .core portion 19, as best seen in Figure 4. vThe core 11 alsoincludes an elongated divider lstrip 22, which extends between the disk11,2and 4the core 19, which has an upper edge suitably secured to orformed `integralwith the inner side of `the top segment 15 and a `bottomedge similarly connected tothe inner side of the bottom segment 16. Theend portions 23 and24V of,` `the divider 22 `which join with the `disklItZyand .cor-e' portion 19 respectively, are flared inoppositedirections.,

as bestseen in Figure 3, so that the end l23jofins the disk 12 on oneside of the bore 14` and `the end 24 joins the` core portionl` on theopposite side of the bore of .the tube 21, fora purpose which willhereinafter ,become-'iap-t parent.

A cylinder y2Shas a relatively close iitting engagement' around the core11 on which it is mounted'for rotation relatively to said core andincludes a tapered forward end 25a which rfits aroundthe convergingsegment portions 15a `and 16a and around the core portion 19.; Thecylinder,

2S is applied to the core 11 over its tapered forward end withtheenlarged end of the lcylinderas its leading end is movedrearwardly to afully applied position as illustrated` in Figures 1 and 3. The rear endof the cylinder. 25 is internally threaded as seen at 26 to receive anexternally threaded hub 27 having a sleeve portion 23 projecting fromone side thereof, the bore 29 of which extends axially through the hub27 and is sized to fit turnably `on the stem 13. The threaded cylinderend 26 extends to rated longitudinally and circumferentially as seen at30 from adjacent its threaded end 26 down to adjacent the portionthereof which` turnably engages on the core por-- The cylinder 25including the lportion 25er tion 19.

t thereof, is preferably enclosed in a casing 31 which is preferablyformed of a relatively hard rubber a'ndwhich is suitably bonded thereto.The rubber casing 31 is provided with perforations 32 registering withvthe cylinderf perforations 30. The forward end of the .covering-I whichis disposed around the core portion 19,-'is'no't pro-lvided withperforations but is spirally grooved tofdeiine a spirally ribbed andgrooved forward end 33. The perforated portion of the covering 32includes a rear tapered portion 34 thereof which is disposed around thecore segment sections 15a and 16a.

The rear end of the hollow stem 13 extends beyond the rear end of thesleeve 28 and issecured by a clampV 35 to a suitable supporting memberofa corn picker, a part of which is shown at 36, to support the core 11immovably relatively to said corn picker part 36. A convention-al blower37 is suitably supported by means, no-t shown, on the corn picker behindthe vacuum roll l@ and is suitably driven by any suitable power source,not shown. A rigid pipe or tube 33 has one end extending into andsecured in the bore 14 of lthe stem 13 and the opposite end of said tubeor pipe 38 communicates with the`blower.37 through its inlet 39. A pipe40 has one end fixed to the outlet 41 of the blower 37 and extendstherefrom longi tudinally of the husking roll to beyond its forward endand is laterally spaced relatively to an outer portion of said roll 10.The pipe 40 has a turned back opposite end 40a which extends into thebore of vthe tube 21 and fits snugly therein. The pipe 40 is ofsufficiently rigid construction to support the forward end of the roll10.

A sprocket wheel 42 is fixed to the sleeve 28 between I the hub 27 andclamp 35 and has an endless sprocket chain 43 trained thereover by meansof which the cylinder is revolved on the core 11. The sprocket chain 43may be connected to any suitable source of power.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a conventional spirally ribbed cornpicker or husking roll 44 is disposed along side the husking roll 10 forcooperation therewith and is supported at its rear end on another cornpicker part 36a and has la stem portion 45 which is journaled inabearing 35a, which is mounted on said part 36a. The husking roll 44 isdriven by a sprocket wheel 42a and a chain 43a, which parts are locatedin substantially transverse alignment with the sprocket wheel 42 andchain 43. The forward end of the corn picking roll 44 is journaled on axedly mounted stem or shaft 46 which may be supported by the corn pickerin any suitable manner. The chains 43 and 43a are driven in oppositedirections for driving the rolls 10 and 44 in opposite directions and sothat the adjacent portions of said rolls will travel downwardly, asillustrated by the arrows 47 in Figure 2, as is conventional withhusking rolls.

Assuming that the rolls 10 and 44 are being thus driven, as said rollsare moved forwardly or from left to right as seen in Figure l, cornstalks will be drawn downwardly between the downwardly travelingadjacent portions of lthe rolls 10 and 44 for snapping the ears of cornfrom the corn stalks, not shown. It will be understood that the rolls 10and 44 will be inclined downwardly toward their forward ends, as isconventional in corn pickers. It will also be apparent that the sprocketwheel 42 and chain 43 will cause the cylinder 2S together with itscovering 31 to revolve with the hub 27 around the core 11 'andrelatively to the pipes or tubes 38 and 40. The threaded connection ofthe hub 27 to the threaded cylinder end 26 is such that rotation of thehub 27 to cause rotation of the cylinder 25 in the direction asindicated by the arrow 47, will tend to tighten the threaded connectionof the hub and cylinder. However, the threaded por tion 26 is only ofsufficient length to receive the hub 27 so that said hub will not beadvanced into binding en gagement with the disk 12.

Simultaneously with the rotation of the cylinder 25, the blower 37 isactuated to cause air to be expelled from fthe casing thereof throughthe outlet 41 and through the pipe 40 connected thereto. Air underpressure is discharged from the pipe end 40a into the bore of the tube21 and into the outer half of the core 11 toward which it is deectedbythe end 24 of Ithe divider 22. The divider 22 prevents the airentering `the core through the tube 21 from reaching the inner side ofsaid Icore so that the air is disposed between the divider 22 and theopening 1 8 in the outer side of the core. The airtllus entering.

the core under pressure through its forward end is discharged throughthe aligned perforations 30 and 32 while said perforations are inregistration with the core opening 18 for dislodging husks, stalks andother debris or foreign matter which may be clinging to the covering 31.

A-t the same time, the aligned perforations 30 and 32 of the cylinder 25and covering 31 which are in registration with the inner core opening 17and disposed adjacent the other husking roll 44, as illustrated inFigure 2, will provide inlet openings through which air will be drawninwardly by suction from the inlet 39 of the blower. The air thusentering the inner half of the core l1 will be prevented from reachingthe outer half of said core by the divider 22 and will be Vdrawnrearwardly and into the bore 14, which is in communication with saidinner half of the core, due to the outwardly flared disposition of thedivider end 23, as seen in Figures 1 and 2. In this manner air will besupplied to theblower 37 to be subsequently discharged through the pipe40 and the air thus entering through the part of the cylinder 25 and itscovering 31, which is traveling adjacent the roll 44, will produce asuction between the adjacent portions of the husking rolls 10 and 44 forpulling the corn husks down-- wardly between said rolls. ln this mannera much cleaner job of husking will be accomplished even in the driestweather and the need for adding extra husking rolls or other attachmentson the peripheries of the husking rolls for accomplishing ahuskingoperation under dry conditions will be eliminated.

The relatively hard casing or coating 31 will increase the tenacity ofthe cylinder 25 and will lessen the shock against the roll as the earsof corn are drawn downwardly into the space between the rolls, thusminimizing the possibility of damage or breakageto the rolls.

A single roll 10 of the vacuum type is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 inconjunction with a conventional roll 44 and will effectively function insuch a combination to accomplish the aforedescribed results. If desiredand for even more eicient operation, a second vacuum type husking roll10a can be substituted for the husking roll 44, as illustrated in Figure6. The roll 10a can be identical in construction to the roll 10 and willbe equipped with a blower 37 and pipes 38 and 40, not shown. Obviously,the pipe 40 of the husking roll 10a will also be disposed on the outerside of said husking roll so that the two husking rolls will be disposedfor rotation between the two air supply pipes 40. Air will then be drawninwardly through the adjacently traveling portions of the cylinders .andcasings of the two husking rolls and will be expelled from saidcylinders and casings through the remotely traveling portions thereof,all in the same manner and for the same purpose as heretofore describedin connection with the roll 10. Accordingly, the parts of the roll 10aillustrated in Figure 6 bear reference characters corresponding to thereference characters of the parts of the roll 10 as illustrated in thisfigure.

Various other modifications and changes are contemplated and mayobviously be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims. Y

I claim as my invention:

l. A husking roll of the character described comprising an elongatedcore having openings in opposite sides thereof extending to adjacent theends of said core, a divider constituting a part of said core andinterposed between the openings of the core sides, a cylinder mounted onsaid core and having perforations, said cylinder being journaleddirectly on the core substantially from end-toend of the cylinder, meansconnected to the cylinder vfor revolving the cylinder on the core forintermittently moving different ones of the perforations intoregistration with each of the two open sides of said core, meansconnected to the husking roll beyond one end of the cylinder and openinginto one side of the core for supplying air under pressure to said sideof the core for discharge through the opening of said side and throughthe perforations of the cylinder in registration with said opening, andsuction means connected to the husking roll beyond an end of thecylinder and communicating with the opposite side of said core fordrawing air into the core through the core opening of said lastmentioned side and through the cylinder perforations in registrationtherewith, said core including a disk constituting a rear end thereofand an elongated tapered portion constituting the forward end of thecore, said core including elongated cylinder segments extending betweenand merging at their ends with said core ends and disposed incircumferentially spaced relationship to one another to form said coreopenings, and said divider comprising a plate extending longitudinallybetween and connected to said core ends and having longitudinal edgesconnected to inner sides of said cylinder segments.

2. A husking roll as in claim 1, said cylinder having a tapered endturnably engaging the tapered forward end of said core, and saidcylinder segments including converging forward end portions merging withsaid tapered forward core end and around which a part of the taperedforward end of the cylinder is rotatably disposed.

3. A husking roll as in claim 2, said core ends having bores extendingtherethrough axially of the roll and opening between said cylindersegments on opposite sides of the divider.

4. A husking roll as in claim 3, said rear core end including a hollowoutwardly extending axial stem having a bore forming a part of the borethereof and in which said suction means is disposed, a sleeve turnablymounted on an inner or forward part of said hollow stern and having anenlargement at its inner end forming a hub detachably connected to therear end of said cylinder, and said first mentioned means beingconnected to said sleeve for revolving the sleeve and cylinderrelatively to the core.

5. A husking roll as in clairn 4, and a hard rubber casing disposedaround and secured to said cylinder and having openings registering withthe perforations of the cylinder, said casing having a spirally ribbedtapered forward end disposed around the forward end of said core.

6. A husking roll as in claim 5, said hollow stem having a portiondisposed beyond the rear end of said sleeve, means engaging said exposedstem portion for supporting the rear end of the core, and said airpressure supply means including a rigid pipe having a rearwardlyextending discharge end extending into the tapered forward end of thecore for supporting the forward end of said husking roll.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 858,371Corley July 2, 1907 1,447,328 Rycroft Mar. 6, 1923 2,274,548 Johnson etal. Feb. 24, 1942 2,337,702 White Dec. 28, 1943 2,689,441 RosenthalSept. 21, 1954

